VUSD trustees discuss fentanyl prevention, centralized kitchen plans – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick McConnell

The Vacaville Unified School District Board of Trustees met Thursday night for its regular September meeting to discuss fentanyl prevention in schools, enrollment numbers and plans for a new centralized kitchen facility for the district.

Superintendent Ed Santopadre started off his comments with introductions for two new staff members. Isabell Ott a new lead mental health clinician, is committed to the development of students’ emotional needs, and Laura Roberts will serve as assistant principal at Callison Elementary this year, focused on fostering positive relationships between students, families and teachers.

Enrollment numbers are up this year for VUSD, Santopadre said. Without counting charter school students, the district has a total of 11,345 students this fall, up from 11,181 last year, marking an increase of 164 students.

Source: VUSD trustees discuss fentanyl prevention, centralized kitchen plans – The Vacaville Reporter

Solar panels to save VUSD 55 million – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick McConnell

Students and parents at Vacaville High School might have noticed new solar arrays above the parking lot this fall, and while the shade they provide is nice, they’re doing a lot more than just keeping cars cool, according to district officials.

Kelly Burks, Associate Superintendent of the Vacaville Unified School District, said the district has added the arrays to 15 of its sites and made updates to much of its HVAC equipment at a total cost of $28.5 million. While that might seem steep, she said, the project will actually save the district almost $55 million over the coming 30 years, as they help combat rising utility costs from Pacific Gas and Electric.

Source: Solar panels to save VUSD 55 million – The Vacaville Reporter

Vallejo school district rolls out three-year plan to improve low attendance – Vallejo Sun

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The Vallejo City Unified School District unveiled a three-year plan to address dismal student attendance rates in Vallejo schools which dropped to dramatic new lows during the COVID-19 pandemic at a district board meeting on Wednesday night.

District Superintendent William Spalding said during the meeting that chronic absenteeism is a major concern for the district not only because it affects student learning outcomes, but because it also figures into the district’s state funding. With chronic absenteeism rates hovering around 50%, that could translate to millions of dollars in lost funding for the district.

Source: Vallejo school district rolls out three-year plan to improve low attendance

Polk takes seat as new interim school board member | dailyrepublic.com

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By Susan Hiland

The Fairfield governing board has a new interim board member, Perry W. Polk, who took his oath of office and chair at a special meeting on Wednesday.

Polk along, with five others, applied for the school-board opening created by the exit of longtime board member, David C. Isom, in July.

The other interested candidates included Aaron Joseph Garcia, Cheryl Chatmon, James Hodgman, Kai Eusebio and Steven Donald Quinlan.

Source: Polk takes seat as new interim school board member | Education | dailyrepublic.com

VTA endorses experienced educator for VUSD trustee post – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

The Vacaville Teachers Association has endorsed a UC Davis dean and former school teacher as a candidate in the VUSD Trustee Area 6 special election on Dec. 19.

Amy Tran Russell — a senior assistant dean for student affairs, earned two master’s degrees — an MBA from UCD and one in education from UC Santa Cruz. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in history from UCD, according to a teachers union press statement sent to The Reporter on Wednesday and information in her candidate statement.

Russell, 43, started her career teaching social studies for the Benicia Unified School District and coaching track and field. She then worked with high school students as part of a youth leadership development program for five years.

Source: VTA endorses experienced educator for VUSD trustee post – The Vacaville Reporter

FSUSD offering African American parenting course | dailyrepublic.com

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Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District will offer a program on Effective Black Parenting this fall.

This program offers practical support for parents and caregivers of African American children, with a focus on culturally relevant strategies, the district said in a statement.

Classes for the fall session will begin Sept. 12, and will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday through Nov. 7 in the Fairfield-Suisun Adult School, 900 Travis Blvd., in Fairfield.

Source: Fairfield school district offering African American parenting course | News | dailyrepublic.com

Parents group members distribute flyers for VUSD school board election – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick McConnell

Armed with a new set of flyers and connections with a statewide group, members of Vacaville Parents United are canvassing outside of several city public schools and school events in the home stretch of the Vacaville Unified Trustee Area 4 special vacancy election.

Kathy Bettencourt, an administrator for the Vacaville Parents United Facebook Group, said her organization has been handing out two different flyers over recent weeks, looking to increase voter turnout and inform voters about their group’s endorsed candidate, Lindsay Kelly, an insurance claims adjuster. The group, which distributes the flyers outside schools at student pick-up times, gathered Tuesday evening to distribute them outside a back-to-school-night event at Browns Valley Elementary.

Vacaville Unified School District officials declined to comment regarding the distribution of these flyers.

Source: Parents group members distribute flyers for VUSD school board election – The Vacaville Reporter

Business members wanted for CTE advisory council | dailyrepublic.com

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The Solano County Office of Education is seeking members for the Career Technical Education Workforce Advisory Council.

The council is holding the first of its two biannual meetings at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 14.

“Local businesses in Solano County are invited to join the council and influence the preparedness of the local workforce by sharing their expertise and offering guidance on industry needs at both local and regional levels,” the county office said in a statement.

Source: Business members wanted for CTE advisory council | News | dailyrepublic.com

VUSD area six election to be held December 19 – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick McConnell

With in-person voters in Vacaville Unified School District’s area four back from the polls after a special vacancy election in September, voters in area six will be gearing up for their own trip to the ballot box on Dec. 19.

The two elections are to replace Dave McCallum, who was appointed as area four trustee earlier this year, and Amy Tran Russell, who was appointed as area six trustee in July.

Lindsay Kelly, Michael Martin and McCallum are running for the Area 4 seat, and John Gardner, assistant registrar of voters for Solano County, said the window to file for the area six election will open on Monday, Aug. 28. The elections were forced by petition drives held Vacaville Parents United, a group that has been voicing concerns regarding VUSD issues over the past few years.

Source: VUSD area six election to be held December 19 – The Vacaville Reporter

School board finds Vallejo charter network fixed issues that threatened status – Vallejo Sun

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By Ryan Geller

The Vallejo City Unified School District Board of Education voted unanimously Wednesday to release Griffin Technology Academies from a compliance agreement that required the charter school network to correct safety, maintenance and financial issues after district officials reported that it had sufficiently addressed their concerns.

The vote ended a compliance agreement that required Griffin’s four charter schools to address 19 conditions related to student health and safety, facilities maintenance and financial management that the district alleged were violations of the school’s charter and California law.

Source: School board finds Vallejo charter network fixed issues that threatened status

Armijo graduate is top 5,000 meter qualifier at world track finals in Hungary | dailyrepublic.com

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By Matt Miller

Luis Grijalva posted the fastest qualifying time in the 5,000 meters Thursday night and won the second of two heats at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

The 2018 Armijo High School graduate clocked a time of 13:32.72 to set the pace and earn one of the 16 spots available for Sunday’s final. Grijalva, who is competing for his native country of Guatemala, held the lead early in the race and rarely moved further back than fourth place. He had a strong kick on the last lap as some jostling took place and the runners were in a full sprint in the final laps.

Source: Armijo graduate is top 5,000 meter qualifier at world track finals in Hungary | Professional | dailyrepublic.com

VUSD area six election to be held December 19 – The Reporter

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By Nick McConnell

With in-person voters in Vacaville Unified School District’s area four back from the polls after a special vacancy election in September, voters in area six will be gearing up for their own trip to the ballot box on Dec. 19.

The two elections are to replace Dave McCallum, who was appointed as area four trustee earlier this year, and Amy Tran Russell, who was appointed as area six trustee in July.

Lindsay Kelly, Michael Martin and McCallum are running for the Area 4 seat, and John Gardner, assistant registrar of voters for Solano County, said the window to file for the area six election will open on Monday, Aug. 28. The elections were forced by petition drives held Vacaville Parents United, a group that has been voicing concerns regarding VUSD issues over the past few years.

Source: VUSD area six election to be held December 19 – The Vacaville Reporter

Summer school programs aren’t enough to reverse pandemic learning loss, researchers say | KQED

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By Jill Barshay

Many education researchers have warned that summer school doesn’t have a strong track record of helping students catch up academically. That’s because it’s hard to convince families to show up. In the wake of the pandemic, school leaders spent billions more on it anyway. In a 2022 national survey, 70% of school districts said they had launched new summer programs or expanded existing ones. Los Angeles Unified District superintendent Alberto Carvalho called summer school “critical” to addressing learning loss.

But now, in a scientific version of “We told you so,” a group of 14 researchers from Harvard University, the American Institutes for Research and the assessment company NWEA found miniscule gains in math and no improvement in reading at all after scrutinizing how much 2022 summer school helped children in eight large school districts around the nation. A separate study in Tennessee, also looking back at the summer of 2022, found the same tiny learning gains in math but none in reading.

Source: Summer school programs aren’t enough to reverse pandemic learning loss, researchers say | KQED

Two FSUSD Students finalists for the All-American High School International Film Festival | dailyrepublic.com

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Sachi Bansal, and Aaron Phelps, have been chosen as finalists to premiere their films at the prestigious All-American High School International Film Festival according to a press release from Fairfield Suisun Unified School district.

Sachi Bansal’s entry, “Sad Disco,” is a captivating Music Video Mix Submission, showcases her unique fusion of music and visuals.

Aaron Phelps’ documentary, “Slanted Perspectives: My Life with SMA,” offers an intimate glimpse into his journey with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. His adept storytelling and genuine empathy have earned him a well-deserved spot among the finalists.

Source: Good News: Two FSUSD Students finalists for the All-American High School International Film Festival | Education | dailyrepublic.com

Student Leadership Council applications being accepted | dailyrepublic.com

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High school students living in the 4th Congressional District – which includes Vacaville, Dixon, Rio Vista and the surrounding areas – can apply to be part of their Student Leadership Council.

“Learning about the importance of government, responsible public service and leadership is vital to the education of our students,” U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, said in a statement. He represents the district, which also includes all of Yolo, Napa and Lake counties, and parts of Sonoma County.

“The Student Leadership Council is an incredible opportunity for students from our region to gain these skills and work with other outstanding student leaders in a collaborative setting to learn about government. I encourage all high school students in our area to apply now.”

Source: Student Leadership Council applications being accepted | News | dailyrepublic.com

Early Childhood conference set for Sept. 9 | dailyrepublic.com

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Solano County educators who work with infants to children up to 8 years old can register for the 2023 Quality Counts Solano Early Childhood Education Conference.

Ron Mohl, of Lakeshore Learning, will deliver the keynote, emphasizing how educators can enhance young children’s learning experiences through play.

The Solano County Office of Education, in collaboration with community partners including First 5 Solano, is sponsoring the event, which is in its 30th year.

Source: Early Childhood conference set for Sept. 9 | News | dailyrepublic.com

Seasonal dip in education jobs skew local job picture | dailyrepublic.com

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Solano residents appear to be finding work outside the county – or are they?

There were 143,500 jobs within Solano County in July, down from the prior month’s total of 144,800, the EDD reported. However, there were 1,000 more residents working – 192,600 in July compared to 191,600 in June, the Labor Market Information Division of the state Employment Development Department reported.

The job decline inside the county is due to the seasonal drop in local education jobs for the month prior to school gearing back up, again.

In fact, if the drop of 1,800 local education jobs is factored out, the local market actually created 500 new jobs, the EDD reported.

Source: Seasonal dip in education jobs skew local job picture | News | dailyrepublic.com

New VUSD superintendent welcomes back students – The Vacaville Reporter

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By Nick McConnell

If Vacaville parents found their morning particularly hectic as classes resumed at Vacaville Unified School District campuses on Thursday, they should try new Superintendent Ed Santopadre’s schedule on for size.

Doing his best to hit the ground running, Santopadre and other district staff toured five of the district’s schools one after another as they met with administrators, supported teachers and encouraged students to have a good year—all before the school year’s first break for lunch.

Source: New VUSD superintendent welcomes back students – The Vacaville Reporter

CC Sabathia makes perfect ‘first’ pitch – Times Herald Online

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By Thomas Gase

With the 2023-24 school year in its own first inning of sorts, CC and Amber Sabathia wanted to make the perfect delivery to all Vallejo first-grade students.

Free backpacks and school supplies were given out by the Sabathia PitCCh In Foundation on Thursday morning to every single first grader in Vallejo — a tradition of the Sabathia pair for about two decades. Although the first day of school had come and gone in the Vallejo City Unified School District, many students, teachers and school staff members were happy to have the support from CC and Amber.

Source: CC Sabathia makes perfect ‘first’ pitch – Times Herald Online

3 candidates have come forward for presidents vacancy on FSUSD school board | dailyrepublic.com

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By Susan Hiland

The Fairfield-Suisun governing school board talked about the next steps in finding a replacement for the board president left by the resignation of David C. Isom at Thursday nights meeting.

Isom officially resigned his position on July 24.

This has left a vacancy that needs to be filled for a fully operating board. The board’s vice president, Craig Wilson, has stepped into the position for the interim.

Source: 3 candidates have come forward for presidents vacancy on FSUSD school board | Education | dailyrepublic.com